Projector Searches for Signal From Inspiron 6000

Question

I'm not sure where to start with this, but we have been testing several different configurations of a laptop (Inspiron 6000 running Windows XP Professional), an InFocus IN24 projector, and an external monitor for church presentations.    The normal configuration that I have been running for about a year is the laptop hooked up to the projector.  I press Function F8 to toggle between laptop, laptop + Projector, and Projector.  Last night, after connecting the external monitor and doing some testing, then disconnecting the external monitor, I returned to my normal configuration of laptop to projector.  Now when I press Function F8, I can successfully go to the laptop + Projector mode, but when I press Function F8 again to go to projector mode (where my laptop screen will go black and I am working through the projector) the projector displays a blue screen and the message 'Searching'.  For some reason in that mode now, it will not display.  I have been doing this for over a year with no problems, and all of the sudden last night after all the different configurations, it does not work.   Does anyone have any idea what might have happened.  It's Friday and I really need to get this working before Sunday!   Thank you so much for any ideas you might be able to offer!

DELL-Chris M · Answer

kbiss,

Last night, after connecting the external monitor and doing some testing, then disconnecting the external monitor
* Some change was made to the video card display settings while you were doing the above. That is where I would start looking. Are you familiar with those settings?

kbiss · Answer

Yes, I am familiar with the settings.    Another piece of the puzzle was that when I had the external monitor connected, I had it set as 'Extended Desktop'.  When I disconnected the monitor and connected the projector, it was treating the projector as an extended desktop rather than 'mirroring' what I saw on my laptop.  After doing some research on the web, I found a posting of the same problem that was corrected by selecting Display Properties ==> Settings ==>selecting the second monitor icon and unchecking 'extend my Windows desktop on this monitor' ==>selecting the primary monitor icon ==> Advanced ==> Display tab and turn on the upper left display (external monitor) with the a click in the upper left corner.   After doing the above, I was able to get the projector to mirror, but that is when I started having the problems described in my original post.  I am at work, so I don't have my laptop with me to test, but I thought if I could find out some things to try during the day today, I can test tonight.   Thank you so much for taking the time to help.

kbiss · Answer

Just to update the forum. . .   Turns out that the problem is my video card - it fried. . .so I am happy to say that it is under warranty and Dell is going to replace it for me!

Projectors

Projector Searches for Signal From Inspiron 6000

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